Tube device for a motor vehicle air filter system and related method of assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle air filter system with pipe elements for feed and discharge of an air flow, particularly for an internal combustion engine. To remove water which is filtered out of the air flow, under the bottom of the housing of the air filter a tube element is attached. Since this assembly region is poorly accessible, there is the risk that the tube element will be kinked or pinched during installation and thus water cannot properly drain out. In order to enable smooth and reliable assembly of the tube element, the tube element according to the invention is attached to the pipe element by means of carrier elements. In the assembly of the pipe element the tube element is automatically located at the proper position in the installation space. Here it is protected against kinking by its connection to the pipe element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for draining liquid from the housing of an air filter of a motor vehicle, having an air outlet conduit and a liquid drain outlet comprising:
 a drainage conduit disposed alongside said air outlet conduit having an inlet end connectable to said liquid drain outlet and an outlet end; 
 at least one carrier element disposed on said air outlet conduit, 
 wherein the at least one carrier element releasably engages the drainage conduit and aligns one end of the drainage conduit with the liquid drain to allow the drainage conduit to be fluidically coupled to the liquid drain, thereby permitting the gravity flow of liquid therethrough; and 
 means incorporated in said drainage conduit for conveying liquid therethrough while precluding the passage of a gas therethrough. 
 
     
     
       2. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said drainage conduit comprises a rigid tube. 
     
     
       3. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said drainage conduit comprises a flexible tube. 
     
     
       4. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one carrier element comprises at least one clip to which said conduit may be attached. 
     
     
       5. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said means incorporated in said drainage conduit means comprises a one-way valve allowing the passage of liquid therethrough. 
     
     
       6. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said means incorporated in said drainage conduit comprises said drainage having a first portion thereof bent in a first direction and a second portion thereof spaced from said second portion thereof, bent in a second direction opposite of said first direction, providing a section of said drainage conduit holding a body of liquid conducted therethrough forming a gas passage blockage. 
     
     
       7. A device according to  claim 6  wherein said first, second and intermediate portions of said drainage conduit are provided with air s-shaped configuration. 
     
     
       8. A device according to  claim 7  wherein said drainage conduit comprises a flexible tube and said supporting means is positioned on said air outlet conduit to impart an s-shaped configuration upon said tube being affixed thereto. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a seal, disposed on the drain tube  14  at a position where the drain tube is affixed to the air filter. 
     
     
       10. A method of providing the drainage of a liquid from an air filter of a motor vehicle, provided with a depending air outtake conduit and a liquid drainage outlet, while precluding the inlet of gas through said liquid drainage outlet, comprising:
 providing a drainage tube disposed alongside said air outtake conduit having a first portion curved in a first direction, a second portion spaced from said first portion and curved in a direction opposite of said first direction; 
 attaching a first end of said tube to said liquid drainage outlet; and 
 supporting said tube on said air outtake conduit in a manner that aligns one end of the drainage tube with said liquid drainage outlet, and that provides gravity flow of a liquid through said first and second portions of said drainage tube. 
 
     
     
       11. A device for draining liquid from the housing of an air filter of a motor vehicle, having an air outlet conduit and a liquid drain outlet comprising:
 a drainage conduit disposed alongside said air outlet conduit having an inlet end connectable to said liquid drain outlet and an outlet end; 
 means for supporting said drainage conduit on said air outlet conduit, 
 permitting the gravity flow of liquid therethrough; and 
 means incorporated in said drainage conduit for conveying liquid therethrough while precluding the passage of a gas therethrough, 
 wherein said supporting means comprises a retaining ring. 
 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the retaining ring is fixed onto the air filter using a screw.